Visitors can look forward to an Art Fair exhibition, an Art Market, and live music performances by Indigenous female choir Marliya, as well as Bulkaway Muruki featuring Kuku Yalanji darling Merindi Schrieber, Nikki Doll, and Natalia Mann.

Milestone fashion performance

With a record-breaking turnout of 60,000 visitors last year, CIAF continues to draw art enthusiasts from across the globe.

As the 14th season approaches, exciting new additions will elevate the experience to new heights.

One eagerly awaited program highlight is the commemoration of the 10-year milestone of Australia's Indigenous fashion industry through a mesmerising Woven fashion performance.

Mykelle and Jaydn Bingarape, a talented sibling duo, have been entrusted with the choreography of CIAF's 2023-decade anniversary fashion performance.

The dynamic showcase will feature collections from 15 Queensland First Nations designers, promoting contemporary Indigenous design, diversity, inclusion, and empowering Indigenous youth as model/performers representing their heritage.

Music in the Park

On Saturday, July 15, another highly anticipated event, Music in the Park - Live it Up!, will take place.

The national sensation Spinifex Gum, featuring Marliya choir, Felix Riebl from Cat Empire and award-winning singer-songwriter Emma Donovan are the concert’s headline act.

After sell out shows in capital cities and an array of festival appearances, Spinifex Gum are an awe-inspiring act not to be missed.

Additional performances will feature Shakaya, Normey Jay, and Uncle Harold Bowen.

CIAF’s Artistic Director Francoise Lane said Cairns is in for a treat with what is destined to be a truly uplifting and thought-provoking night of music for the whole family.

“The under the stars, parkland setting will provide the perfect backdrop for this special and truly First Nations blend of music that we have been so lucky to secure,” Ms Lane said.

“I am particularly excited to share the talent of our region’s own female voices from Marliya whose sound really is something special in its purity and power.”

Weaving our Future

This year, the Art Fair and Art Market will have a new curational theme called “Weaving our Future: Claiming our Sovereignty”, curated by Artistic Director Francoise Lane.

According to Ms Lane, the theme is crafted to both inspire and harness the essence of Queensland’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists.

“At a time in which a First Nations voice is being proposed to drive change across Australia, the theme will provide a rich, cultural thread that connects,” she said.

“Art is a form of expression that raises the breadth of experiences, issues, and commentary and when positioned within the context of CIAF, becomes a meeting place for truth telling, knowledge sharing and cultural exchange.”

To view the CIAF 2023 program and buy tickets go to www.ciaf.com.au.